Best of the Decade – From Sophie
(2010-2019)
Movies: Let me just start by saying, these are in my opinion the best movies I have seen in the past decade. I haven’t seen every academy award movie and am in no way a judge or expert in all movies. However I do believe these are all great movies, and you should check them out before you dive into the new decade’s films.
1. Jurassic World (2015)
Jurassic World is the #1 movie of the decade for me. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard killed it together. Jurassic World has action, humor, horror and even a bit of romance. After three Jurassic Park movies Jurassic World was introduced. Set 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, with a new island and new people. The movie goes back into Jurassic Park but has a new twist of science and technology. These movies are very unique to the decade and I look forward to seeing what comes in the next 10 years. 2
2. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect is unreal. The soundtrack is the only music I played in 2012. I still know every song and the dances. My sister and I were obsessed with the movie and music. The actors mesh well and are hilarious in all three movies. The representation of college life is entertaining, even if it’s unrealistic. Anna Kendrick was 27 in the film playing a freshman in college. Pitch Perfect was a fresh new movie in 2012, and the second and third ones made a great series in the decade.
3. Frozen (2013)
Let it go, let it go! I can’t imagine how many times I have screamed frozen’s hit song. Frozen is a tremendous movie with characters like no other. You can’t deny Olaf is one of the best Disney Characters ever. I would even say Frozen as a whole is one of my favorite Disney movies. Elsa and Anna resemble a sisterly love that is strong, passionate and emotional. The soundtrack is still popular and the movie can be played year round, however it’s always better during Christmas time. Frozen is my top 3 in the last decade because this movie and it’s music never gets old, I can hardly wait for Frozen 2.
4. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
I’m not about to lie and say I am a huge Marvel fan, however I do believe Avengers: Endgame is the 4th best movie of the decade. It’s one of a kind, earning $853 million. The movie is the end of an era, the final chapter of the Avengers that billions around the world have been following. The movie engages in all of the previous movies in unique ways. Including even small characters from past movies. The whole three hours and two minutes of Avengers: Endgame are exciting and bring together the franchise.
5. Lone Survivor (2013)
Mark Wahlberg is one of my favorite actors and he fits his character perfectly. Lone Survivor isn’t just special because it was released on Christmas day, it’s very emotional and exemplifies the intense situations our military goes through. A true story of Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell and other Navy Seals “Operation Red Wings” in Afghanistan in 2005. Its emotional, exciting, If you haven’t already seen this, stop reading and go watch Lone Survivor
Artists: Music has been huge throughout the decade. Some of the best new artists and songs have been released in the past 10 years. I have been impressed and moved by a lot of music, and these are the top five artists and songs of the decade for me.
1.One Direction (2010-2016)
There isn’t another band or artist that I went as crazy for as I did for One Direction. From 2010-2016 I lived, slept and breathed the group. I still know every word to every song and get excited everytime I hear one. Even though member Niall Horan is my favorite, when Zayn left the group in 2015 I was devastated. However One Direction bounced back with their next album, Made in the AM in Late 2015. Right out of X Factor, these five boys became big. They might not have stayed together to see the next decade, but Liam, Harry, Niall, Louis and Zayn will always have part of my heart. The day before the concert I went to in Indianapolis One Direction released “Drag Me Down”. My sister and our friends spent the whole day learning the song, memorizing every word, and of course having some dance moves to go with it. At the concert the next night, it was the first time One Direction had performed the song and we sang our little hearts out.
2. Thomas Rhett (2013-present)
I listen to Thomas Rhett every single day. I can’t think of a more wholesome country singer that has catchy songs with a great message. One of his most iconic songs “Life Changes” is about his family and life as a whole, including his daughters and raising a family. Placed at second on my list Thomas Rhett released his first single “Something to Do with My Hands” in 2013. Since then he has released great song after great song. I am especially excited for the 2 christmas songs Rhett just dropped, his own “Christmas in the Country” and a remake of “The Christmas Song”. Thomas Rhett is always good to listen to, my family believes he is the best boating music. With another baby on the way for Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren, I expect a lot of good songs in the next decade.
3. Big Sean (2007-present)
I had to put Big Sean at third. He has my one of favorite songs ever “One Man can Change the World” and others that are my favorite. I’m not a huge fan of rap, but Big Sean is an exception for me. He’s from Detroit, Michigan, his songs are meaningful and always hold a deep message. My personal favorites are “Bigger than me” and “Light”. Unlike some other rappers I can understand what Big Sean is saying and his lyrics aren’t just a jumble of nonsense. A lot of his songs have phone recordings at the end which include his family members and friends. It’s an interesting aspect to Big Sean’s music that makes it all the more meaningful. I can’t wait to see what kind of new music Big Sean will release in 2020.
4.Taylor Swift (2006-present)
For the fourth best artist of the decade for me, Taylor Swift fills the spot. From young country, to pop, to meaningful songs about her life, Tswift can always get me to listen. She started releasing music at age 16 with her first single “Tim Mcgraw” in 2006. The song basically blew up and became a top 10 on Country music charts very fast. Not only was Swift successful and popular in the 2000’s, she started off 2010 strong and kept the momentum from there. She transitioned from country to pop, and released catchy songs that went high on the charts. Her music was always a go to when I was younger, and even now I enjoy her new music. It’s safe to say I have been a swifty for along time, she even dated One Direction member Harry Styles which was a big deal when I was nine years old. From Speak Now to Lover, the 2010’s have been good to Taylor Swift’s career.
5. Ariana Grande (2011-present)
In 2010 young Ariana Grande played “Cat” in hit Nickelodeon show Victorious. Her character was clumsy, wasn’t at all the main character and was in the background most episodes. In 2011, Ariana released her first song “Put Your Hearts up”. Since then, she has released 5 hit albums including her most recent album Thank U, Next. It was number one on the US charts, played everywhere and some of the best music in 2018. She had been featured in tons of other artists hit songs and released christmas songs. Throughout the decade Ariana Grande blew up, I believe she will someday be considered on of the best artists ever. So for me, Ariana Grande deserves the spot of the fifth best artists of the decade.
Songs:
- Speechless: Dan and Shay (2018)
Speechless is the best song of the decade. I love this song and can’t think of a better sweet country love song. I listen to it all the time, in the car, on the boat, with friends. The whole world blew up over “Speechless”, it became number one on the Country charts. People who don’t listen to country music, but were a fan and had the song on a playlist. What makes “Speechless” special is because the message connects with people. Old and young. It is about how Dan and Shay both felt when their saw their wives walk down the aisle for the first time. Many dream of their wedding day and “Speechless” portrays the emotion and excitement of the special day. This song will be played for years at weddings, celebrations, and dances. “Speechless” was a huge hit in 2018, but overall the best song in the decade itself.
2. If I could Fly: One Direction (2015)
Five albums and 17 singles later, “If I could Fly” is a masterpiece by One Direction. I went crazy the first time I heard it in concert. There’s a different feeling one gets when hearing a song they have been singing constantly live. However, during “If I could Fly” all five members of One Direction sang their hearts out, which filled mine. To this day I love this song and sing it all the time, it has to be my number two song of the decade.
3. One Man can Change the World: Big Sean (2013)
Like I said before, I am not the biggest fan of rap besides Big Sean. This song was written by three greats, John Legend, Big Sean, and Kanye West. I can remember this being the first “rap” song I liked and listened to frequently. When my older brother would drive me places, he would play this song a lot. I know all the words and can rap through it all. Whenever I play “One Man Can Change the World” I’m taken back to the time of jamming in the car to this song with my brother. It is still on my playlists today and I have loved this song since 2013. Big Sean, John Legend and Kanye West killed it with this song making it easily third favorite song of the decade.
4. See you Again: Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth (2015)
I love a good tribute song, especially this emotional song for the Fast and Furious star Paul Walker. Being a fan of these movies the death of Paul Walker was very sad for me and a lot of others. At the end of the Furious 7 the song “See you Again” played in remembering of Walker. It talks about the special bond the cast members had in the movie, and in real life. The importance of friendship and family is portrayed through this song beautifully. The Fast and Furious movies have been very relevant this decade, Walker played one of the main characters “Brian O’Conner”. Charlie Puth takes all the great things Walker brought to this world and the movies and pours them out into this song, making this the fourth best song of the decade.
5. Do the John Wall: Troop 41 (2010)
This song goes hard. Although I have never heard another song from Troop 41, this song is one of the best in the decade. It’s on almost every gym playlist I’ve had, it’s catchy, and has been popular since 2010. I vividly remember dancing and singing this song with my brother and his friends in cars, basements, and outside. Basically anyone that has ever had an older brother, knows this song. “Do the John Wall” was played all the time in the car and house. When specifically thinking of the top five songs in the decade, most might never think of this song. I can agree with you saying that this song never got high on charts (only reaching top 100 billboard charts), it was never nominated for a grammy, the group Troop 41 has never attended the Grammys, making the song “Do the John Wall” nothing special. But c’mon, this is one of the only songs I remember in 2010! It still plays in many gyms and weight rooms today. So the surprising number five best song of the decade is, “Do the John Wall”.
So these are my top movies, artists, and songs of the decade. Agree or disagree, we have all seen great entertainment and work in the past decade. I can’t wait to see what the next decade holds.
